Eating comfort food at these establishments, whether it be for breakfast or lunch, feels like a warm hug. Plus, they are one-of-a-kind. You won’t find them anywhere else but in the City of Angels.<\/p>\n
Read more: 10 Closed American Amusement Parks Thrill Seekers Still Get Nostalgic For<\/a><\/p>\n Eat At Joe’s in Redondo Beach is a South Bay staple Exterior of Eat At Joe’s in Redondo Beach, California – Lon D.\/ Yelp<\/p>\n Located in my hometown of Redondo Beach, Eat At Joe’s is my local diner. This is the type of spot where the same employees have been working for decades and friends who have moved away always return when they come home to visit. Put simply, it has become synonymous with Redondo Beach.\u00a0The eatery, established in 1969, has an old-fashioned feel\u00a0to it, as\u00a0evident\u00a0by the blue and\u00a0white interior and matching vinyl seating. In fact, it has changed very little since I was a kid. Although Eat At Joe’s\u00a0dishes up<\/a> just about anything you can think of, I often come\u00a0for its sizable Belgian waffle that’s perfect for an early morning indulgence.<\/p>\n The Belgian waffle is fluffy and sweet but not overwhelmingly so. I pair it with a slab of ham for a savory touch. Another personal favorite is the\u00a0tuna melt\u00a0— it has just the right amount of cheese and the first bite is always delectably crunchy. The eatery’s signature dish is the\u00a0John Wayne Special, made with sausage, Spanish sauce, eggs and home fries.<\/p>\n Eat At Joe’s is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Indoor and patio seating is available. Uniquely, some tables at Eat At Joe’s are communal, so you could end up sharing a large table with another party. There is a small parking lot, but it is often full. If so, there might be parking around on Carnelian Street.<\/p>\n Hermosa Beach’s Ocean Diner is a retro dream Interior view of Ocean Diner in Hermosa Beach, California – @superblixen \/ Instagram<\/p>\n If you’re anything like me, then you adore diners for their nostalgic ambiance. For a fleeting moment, you enter another era \u2014 perhaps an era that ended well before you were born. This is exactly how I feel when I’m at Ocean Diner in Hermosa Beach, a city that also happens to have some of the most spectacular sunsets in the Los Angeles area<\/a>. The attention to detail of this establishment is impressive. Featuring a pastel color palette, pie case, and antique decor, Ocean Diner had me convinced that it had been around since the 1950s or before. In reality, it opened in the 1980s, per The Los Angeles Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n That said, this retro-themed eatery knows how to do breakfast and comfort food<\/a> right. I come here frequently with my father on Sunday mornings to catch up on our week and to have the buttermilk pancakes. They hit the spot every time, but if you prefer something slightly richer, Ocean Diner also offers creations like granola banana pancakes and blueberry pancakes. There are so many other options to choose from too ranging from skillets and omelets, the latter of which is my father’s preferred meal. (His go-to order is a veggie omelet \u2014 In his words, it makes him “feel healthy.”)<\/p>\n Breakfast is served all day but keep in mind that Ocean Diner has a lunch menu with dishes like chicken fried steak and meatloaf as well. Ocean Diner is closed on Wednesdays but is open from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, they close at 3:00 p.m. Note that there is a parking lot located behind the restaurant on Ocean Drive.<\/p>\n For some of the best chicken pot in LA, dine at Jongewaard’s Bake n Broil in Long Beach Close up of a chicken pot pie from Jongewaard’s Bake n Broil – @ladykarnster \/ Instagram<\/p>\n Chicken pot pie is one of my top comfort foods \u2014 I associate it with fall, winter, and childhood. Growing up, there was a Marie Callender’s in my hometown and when it shuttered, I thought I would never find another place that could fill my chicken pot pie void. I was wrong. A friend from college recommended Jongewaard’s Bake n Broil\u00a0in Long Beach, a city located halfway between LA and Laguna Beach<\/a>. Named one of the best classic diners in Los Angeles by The Los Angeles Times<\/a>, the Bake n Broil lives up to the hype. I can attest to this, based on its chicken pot pie alone.<\/p>\n The chicken pot pie is\u00a0perfectly petite, and the first bite will instantly fill your body with warmth. The chicken inside is tender and flavorful, while the crust is buttery and smooth. The ambiance at Jongewaard’s Bake n Broil\u00a0is equally delightful. Decorated in floral wallpaper and shelves with cakes and pies, it has a modern flair but still feels homey. I do not live near Long Beach but believe me when I say that the drive is worth it.<\/p>\n However, there is a catch: There is a limited supply of chicken pot pie. Make sure to arrive early to get your hands on one, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend \u2014 It can get extremely busy. If the Bake n Broil runs out of chicken pot pie, keep in mind that\u00a0it also serves burgers, breakfast, and sandwiches,<\/a> as well. Don’t forget to grab dessert; the\u00a0sweet pies, including the cherry pie, are divine. Jongewaard’s Bake n Broil’s dine in hours are\u00a0from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm on Sunday. There is possibly\u00a0parking on East 37th Street.<\/p>\n Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter<\/a> and add us as a preferred search source<\/a> for access to the world’s best-kept travel secrets.<\/p>\n![\"Exterior](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/3d8a887a460334dafba45415792cf029.jpeg\"\/)
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